Larry Gillis comes from a little town called Soperton, located in southeast Georgia. He was raised on backwoods music and was especially influenced by his father to play the five string banjo. He developed a style reminiscent of Don Reno and Ralph Stanley, although plainly it is Larry’s own sound. One half of the legendary Gillis Brothers, Larry continues with his music career in bluegrass. A world renowned banjo picker,
and one of the few who still plays the old claw hammer style. He definitely has a traditional style of his own. 2012 marks thirty-two years in the business for Larry and truly justifies the title "Dr. Swampgrass Gillis".
This powerful ensemble of talented musicians can only be described as a hard-core, hard-driving, straight-up, traditional bluegrass band. With a sound that comes from the deep south, and the admiration of the legends of bluegrass music, their style is one of a kind.
A style of originality that can only be tagged as the “Gillis sound” just flows out and leaves the audience with a lasting impression few ever forget. Tom Henderson of Tampa, Florida and DJ of the syndicated radio show, “This Is Bluegrass” on WMNF, said a phrase went around a few years ago about rating other hard driving
bands by “The Gillis Factor”. . . few others measure up!
and one of the few who still plays the old claw hammer style. He definitely has a traditional style of his own. 2012 marks thirty-two years in the business for Larry and truly justifies the title "Dr. Swampgrass Gillis".
This powerful ensemble of talented musicians can only be described as a hard-core, hard-driving, straight-up, traditional bluegrass band. With a sound that comes from the deep south, and the admiration of the legends of bluegrass music, their style is one of a kind.
A style of originality that can only be tagged as the “Gillis sound” just flows out and leaves the audience with a lasting impression few ever forget. Tom Henderson of Tampa, Florida and DJ of the syndicated radio show, “This Is Bluegrass” on WMNF, said a phrase went around a few years ago about rating other hard driving
bands by “The Gillis Factor”. . . few others measure up!
